After six new ‘consorts’ arrived at the Chaos Palace, it indeed became much livelier.
Lord Shui dug a pond in the palace and filled it with a pool of clear lake water. The water was clear and lovely, but it would have been even better if it weren’t for the glowing ribs scattered on the pond’s floor.
The Lantern Ghost complained that the Chaos Palace was too dim and went on to place several hundred bright lamps in the hall. The lamps all had a blue-green light, and when Zanxing got up to drink water in the middle of the night, the drifting ghost lights often gave her the illusion that she had mistakenly entered a graveyard.
The Disease Demon was always coughing. Sometimes, despite his illness, he would drag himself around the hall to sweep and clean. Before he could even finish sweeping the floor, he would cough up blood all over it, making it look like a crime scene.
General Lan and the Drunken Demon spent their days competing in drinking contests. The loser would hang from a rope for an hour. Often, one could see shadows swaying from the locust tree branch outside Zanxing’s window.
In comparison, the beautiful and considerate Shun Nu was the most normal. She spoke softly and had a gentle temperament, but… the entire hall was covered with her hair, rivaling even Mimi in that regard.
Thanks to these consorts, Zanxing’s fear of ghosts and the dead miraculously disappeared within days of their arrival. Sometimes, when she was in a good mood, she would even help clean the bones in the pond.
Xiao Shuang mentioned that the Chaos Palace used to be inhabited by Gui Diaotang, and the previous Demon King was noble and aloof, disliking others getting too close. For many years, no one from the demon realm had entered the Chaos Palace. Now that these six had finally gotten a chance to enter the palace, and with Zanxing being so amiable, they naturally went all out to make a good impression. Today, you bring in a golden table; tomorrow, I’ll bring a silver stool. The original black stone bed was too cold, so it was replaced with a white jade bed. The pillars had no carvings, so the next day, the crystal pillars were adorned with carvings of the Nine-Tailed Demon Mother. The dishes had to be red agate to show nobility, and green jade chopsticks were a must… The eerie and gloomy hall was decorated extravagantly and vibrantly.
Sometimes, as Zanxing looked at their enthusiastic decorations, she couldn’t help but question herself: perhaps, her taste was at fault?
But this question here would never have an answer.
Mimi had turned into a small cat, pawing at the floating bones by the pond in the hall when someone walked in from outside and said, “Zanxing.”
Sitting on the couch with her eyes closed, Zanxing opened her eyes and looked at Bu Jiang. “Mother.”
“Now that there are more people in the palace, it’s indeed much warmer than before,” Bu Jiang said with a hint of satisfaction. “In a while, I’ll have Mei Mo send a few more people over. It’s good to keep things fresh and new.”
“…” Not wanting to continue on this topic, Zanxing asked, “Did you come to see me for something, Mother?”
Previously, Bu Jiang had been imprisoned in the Abyss of Extreme Ice by Gui Yansheng, and her demonic power had been severely damaged. Over the past year, while Zanxing was in seclusion, Bu Jiang had also been recuperating. However, Heishi City had been ravaged by Gui Yansheng for two years, and was in dire need of restoration. Besides recovering her demonic power, Bu Jiang had to handle all matters related to Heishi City, leaving her very busy.
Zanxing actually didn’t get to see her very often.
“The weather is nice tonight. Come with me for a walk,” Bu Jiang said.
Zanxing looked at the continuous drizzling rain outside and remained silent.
The rain fell like a fine mist, enveloping the dark mountainous region of Heishi City. The locust tree branches were washed until they shone, resembling cold, desolate stones. Every few steps, wind lamps shaped like bull heads hung from the trees, emitting a bluish-purple glow in the night.
Bu Jiang held a large blue oil-paper umbrella, large enough to cover both of them. The umbrella was adorned with meticulous ink flower and bird paintings, very delicate and refined. Compared to the ominous Asura Umbrella of Gui Yansheng, this blue paper umbrella appeared particularly elegant and reminded one of the misty, rainy landscapes of Jiangnan.
Seeing Zanxing staring at the floral and bird patterns on the umbrella, Bu Jiang smiled slightly. “This umbrella once belonged to your father.”
“My father?”
“When I was taking a walk on the mountain in Heishi City years ago, I met your father there,” Bu Jiang’s expression became nostalgic as she seemed to recall a scene from the past, her tone filled with emotion. “I remember it was also a rainy day. He was dressed in blue, holding a beautiful blue paper umbrella as he descended the mountain gracefully. At that moment, I thought to myself that such a handsome man was unmatched even by the immortals of the Nine Heavens Palace.”
“Handsome man?” Zanxing was a bit skeptical. From the messages she had received about the Gui Diaotang, he was described as cold-blooded, domineering, and cruel. She always imagined such a great demon would be clad in black robes or a golden-trimmed long cloak, with a face as sharp as chiseled stone. She never expected the Gui Diaotang described by Bu Jiang to be so… normal.
He even seemed somewhat ethereal.
Bu Jiang held the umbrella and continued walking slowly with Zanxing. “Of course. As my lover, every one of my partners was chosen for their exceptional looks, and among them, he was the best. That’s why I married him and had you. I thought that with our appearances, our child would be stunning enough to astonish the world. But,” she paused, “the world is unpredictable.”
“…” Why did it seem like she was now complaining about her father?
Zanxing cleared her throat. “When choosing a partner, one should not only consider looks.”
Bu Jiang glanced at her sideways. “Is that so? Then why do you always emphasize ‘extraordinarily handsome’ when I ask about your Martial Uncle?”
Zanxing: “…..��
“Everyone has a love for beauty. If your father had been ugly, no matter how capable he was, I wouldn’t have looked at him. However, if you think your father was just a pretty face, you’re gravely mistaken. Since the demon race’s inception, among the ten Demon Kings of Heishi City, he was the best,” Bu Jiang said, stopping to look ahead, and softly added, “Look.”
From this highest point on the mountain, looking down, the entire Heishi City was visible. The night was deep and the rain was heavy. At the mountain’s peak, white lanterns swayed at the entrances of the stone caves, and golden statues that glowed could be seen. The ghost fire lanterns on the trees shone like stars… These colors, which seemed particularly eerie on their own, lit up the entire night of Heishi City, adding a touch of vibrancy and liveliness to the desolate and cold mountain, with a sense of warmth and festivity.
“The human world is vast, with mountains, seas, and forests. The sects, in their desire to appear detached from the world, often make themselves dull and uninteresting to seem aloof and ethereal. Yet, it is the lively and vibrant things that the demon race yearns for the most,” Bu Jiang said with a faint smile. “You always think that the demon race’s tastes are peculiar and vulgar, but Heishi City is entirely black. Without a touch of bright color, it would be lifeless.”
Zanxing was taken aback. “I’m sorry.”
“You don’t need to apologize. The highest places for culrivators, the most beautiful places for humans, and the darkest places for demons—this has been the way since the beginning of the world. Demons and humans are actually no different. Each lives in their own corner and coexists peacefully.”